The Southwark Council cabinet met on 2 December 2025, discussing a range of issues from housing and education to community safety and environmental concerns. Key decisions included approving recommendations for the Southwark school standards report, agreeing to a change in strategy for phase two of the Tustin Estate renewal, and considering deputation requests related to the disposal of land at Greendale, East Dulwich. The cabinet also discussed the demolition of Marie Curie House, allocations for strategic community infrastructure funding, and a new resident engagement strategy.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics:

Tustin Estate Renewal - Phase 2

The cabinet agreed to a change in strategy for delivering phase 2 of the Tustin Estate renewal to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing. This involves changing 98 homes, previously intended as key worker homes for London Living Rent, to additional new council homes for social rent. The GLA has agreed to provide grant funding for these additional council homes if the tenure change is agreed. To start phase 2, the council will enter into an early works contract for six months commencing December 2025 to finalise the detailed phase 2 design work and to demolish Kentmere House and Heversham House, ahead of demolition starting in March 2026 (subject to vacant possession being achieved). The main works contract will include the construction of all four blocks within phase 2, but will include separate prices for the development of each of the four blocks within phase 2, with phase 2a including Block G2, and a break clause that can be exercised before the end of October 2026 to exclude phase 2b which is made up of Blocks F1, F2 and H.

Resident Engagement Strategy

The cabinet approved the new resident engagement strategy, designed to give council tenants and leaseholders a stronger voice in the design and delivery of housing services. The strategy aims to meet the Regulator of Social Housing Customer Service Standards and contribute to the council's Southwark 2030 goals. The strategy focuses on empowering residents to shape housing services, understanding their needs, making services more accountable, and supporting community building. The strategy will be evaluated in January 2028 to monitor progress.

Policy and Resources: Revenue Monitoring Report 2025-26

The cabinet noted the forecast revenue out-turn position, including an adverse variance of £7.3m in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and £26.2m in the General Fund (GF). Pressures in the HRA are mainly within housing repairs, while the General Fund faces increasing costs and demands for temporary accommodation, children's and adults' social care, and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) support.

Demolition of Marie Curie House

The cabinet considered a report regarding the future of Marie Curie House, a 16-storey residential block on the Sceaux Gardens Estate. The report recommended demolition of the block, citing structural and fire safety concerns. The cabinet noted the progress with resident engagement and rehousing, and that all tenants have been offered the Right to Return. The estimated cost for the demolition works is £3 million. The demolition is subject to the council obtaining ballot exemption from the GLA.

Allocations for Strategic Community Infrastructure Funding

The cabinet considered a report to approve an allocation towards SELCHP. The cabinet agreed the allocation of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding of up to £3,500,000 as a grant to Veolia ES Southwark Limited towards the Southeast London Combined Heat and Power heat network extension.

Gateway 3 – Variation Decision: Phase 2 of Extension to the South East London Combined Heat and Power Plant (SELCHP) Heat Network

The cabinet considered a report to approve the proposed variation to the council's heat supply agreement. The cabinet approved the proposed variation to the council's Heat Supply Agreement with Veolia ES Southwark Limited (VESS) involving works which requires capital expenditure from the council of £5,500,000 and the supply of low carbon heat to 31 March 2050 at an estimated cost of £208,761,745 (precise value will depend on inflation) making a total estimated variation value of £214,261,745 and a total estimated contract value of £267,873,179.

Approval to purchase: Rockingham Street Arches nos. 107, 106,105

The cabinet considered a report to approve the acquisition. The cabinet authorised the Strategic Director of Resources, advised by the Director of Planning & Growth and in consultation with the Assistant Director of Property, to purchase the property.

A Good Start in Life- Southwark School Standards report 2024-25

The cabinet considered a report to note the Southwark School Standards report for 2024-25. The cabinet noted the Southwark Standards Report, 2024-25.

Disposal of land at Greendale, East Dulwich

The cabinet considered a report to agree the proposed land transfer arrangements for land at Greendale, East Dulwich. The cabinet agreed the proposed land transfer arrangements for land at Greendale, East Dulwich, in line with the principles set out within this report, including acceptance of a freehold transfer of land from Greendale Property Company Limited (or their successors in title) and disposal of a long leasehold interest to Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Limited (referred to herein as Dulwich Hamlet FC , DHFC or the club ).

Report from Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Outcome of call-in Asylum Road Care Home, Disposal of the site by way of a long-leasehold interest

The cabinet considered a report to consider recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee in respect of a call-in Asylum Road Care Home, disposal of the site by way of a long-leasehold interest. The cabinet noted the recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee arising from the call-in of the cabinet decision in respect of Asylum Road Care Home – disposal of the site by way of a long-leasehold interest with a selected party to deliver and operate a new care home at Asylum Road, SE15.

Gateway 1 Procurement Strategy Approval Report: All-Age Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services

The cabinet considered a report to approve the procurement strategy for Southwark's substance misuse treatment services. The cabinet approved the procurement strategy for the All-Age Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services contract to be procured through a competitive process up to a maximum estimated annual contract value of £7,399,584 for a period of five years commencing on 1 April 2027, with an option to extend by a further period of up to five years (three years + two years), subject to satisfactory performance and with recourse to a contractual break clause, making a total maximum estimated contract value of £73,995,840.

Response to the Housing Scrutiny Commission: Outcome of the review of the Canada Estate 2017/18, Fair Street / Devon Mansions 2018/19 and Kirby Estate 2018/19 QHIP Major Works Projects

The cabinet considered a report to consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. The cabinet accepted all recommendations made by Housing Scrutiny as set out in the report.

Response to the Environment Scrutiny Commission 2024-25: Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Wellbeing Impacts of Active Travel and Access to Nature Scrutiny Review Report

The cabinet considered a report to consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. The cabinet approved this report as the Council's response to the 34 recommendations put forward by the Environment Scrutiny Commission's Report 'Exploring the Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing Impacts of Active Travel and Access to Nature' as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure rule 15.3.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Chilton Grove Estate - Infill and Major Works

The cabinet considered a report to consider recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee in respect of Chilton Grove Estate, infill and major works. The cabinet noted the recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee arising from the Internal Review of the Chilton Grove Estate Rooftop Homes and 2018-19 QHIP Major Works Project.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Southwark Community Safety Partnership

The cabinet considered a report to consider recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee in respect of Southwark Community Partnership. The cabinet noted the recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee arising from the Review of Southwark Community Safety – Working Together for a Safer Southwark.

Deputation Requests

The cabinet considered whether to hear two deputation requests in respect of item 10, Disposal of Land at Greendale, East Dulwich from: Dulwich Hamlet Football Club (FC) and Local residents.

Motions from Council Assembly

The cabinet considered motions referred from council assembly 12 November 2025 as follows:

• Rights for Residents: Putting People First
• Demanding Real Fairer Funding for Southwark
• Action to divest the Southwark Pension Fund from conflict and genocide
• Southwark Council will not water down affordable housing requirements
• Make Peckham Rye Station safe and accessible
• Our water our way.

Policy and Resources: Budget Setting Update 2026- 27

The cabinet considered a report to note the medium-term financial strategy update. The cabinet noted the update to the local government funding arrangements including the policy statement and the autumn budget and the approach to setting the 2026-27 budget.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) - Indicative Rent and Charges Report 2026-27

The cabinet considered a report to consider the proposed housing revenue account rent (the indicative/draft rent) and charges for 2026-27. The cabinet noted the proposed rent increase of 4.8% (based on September 2025 Consumer Price Index plus 1%) for all directly and tenant managed (TMO) housing stock held within the council's HRA.